Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
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WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM 14 UCW JUNE 21 - 27, 2023 Special Forces Charitable Trust Denim & Diamonds gala highlights service of Green Berets, families by JAMIE BISHOP Mark the calendar, grab your tickets, and get gussied up in boots, bling and blue jeans because you are cordially invited to the Special Forces Charitable Trust Second annual Denim & Diamonds gala. is premiere charity event will take place on June 23 from 6 to 10 p.m. at e Carolina Barn. e rustic, yet el- egant and beautiful venue is located at 7765 McCormick Bridge Road in Spring Lake. Up & Coming Weekly caught up with Sierra Cortez, the event manager, to discuss the motivation and mission behind the Denim & Diamonds gala. Mrs. Cortez said, "e mission of SCFT is to enrich the strong fam- ily bonds and support all programs that enrich the well-being of the Green Beret community. SCFT is all about supporting the family and events like Denim & Diamonds help raise the necessary funds to finan- cially and professionally enhance the command's family resiliency initiatives." During our conversation she referred to the Green Berets as the "quiet professionals." We asked Mrs. Cortez to elabo- rate, "Being a spouse of a Green Beret I know first-hand the sacri- fice my husband makes to protect America's interests. So, when he's not on a mission in some obscure location, he prioritizes family and plays an integral part in the com- munity." Cortez directed me to a quote on the SCFT website that says, "e strongest people make time to help others, even when they are strug- gling themselves." According to the SCFT website, there are currently seven Special Forces Groups, two of which are National Guard Special Forces, which are headquartered in seven states: Washington, North Caro- lina, Kentucky, Florida, Colorado, Utah and Alabama. e National Guard Special Forces Groups also have subordinate units in 17 states. Special Forces units are also located in Okinawa, Japan, and Stuttgart, Germany. As we talked in jest about rhine- stone studded jeans that would make even Elvis envious, I asked what can we expect at the Denim & Diamonds gala? is high-energy, jeans-preferred affair will bring together philanthropists, patriots, and purpose-driven partiers, for an evening of fun which funds an amazing mission. From line danc- ing to boot-scoot boogying with Green Berets, this gala will have the whole town talking. Tickets can be purchased on- line at https://www.eventbrite. com/e/denim-diamonds-tick- ets-630899446227. Besides having the time of your life, the perks for purchasing a ticket includes enjoy- ing casual and delicious bites from Two Brothers Catering. en enter into the enchanting "Bar-Garden" featuring sips from such establishments as the South- ern Pines Brewing Compa- ny, Weldon Mills Distillery, Charlie Mikes Pub, Hatchet Brewing Company, Bell Tree Tavern, Adams Beverages of North Carolina, Tito's Hand- made Vodka, and more. Entertainment for the evening will include live music and dancing with Trey Friddle and his band, silent auction Items, the famous Bling-Ring Raffle and much more. For more information on Trey Fiddle, visit https://treyfriddle.com Sponsorship opportunities are available at https://revenue- usa.keela.co/denim-and-dia- monds-2023 What better way to bolster local roots than to sponsor an evening amongst neighbors and fellow patriots. Sponsorship levels range from $2,500 to $10,000. Feelin' Fancy? Diamond VIP tables are available for guests who want to grab your best denim- dressed buds and dance the night away. Upcoming SFCT Events In North Carolina e 4th annual SFCT Celebrity | Green Beret Tactical Challenge will be held on Dec.13 to 14 on Fort Liberty's Range 37. is is a one-of- a-kind opportunity for teams from the U.S. Army Special Forces and the national celebrity communities to unite and compete in precision marksman skills, tactical movement and physical endurance. SFCT's Inaugural Golf Tourna- ment Carolina Trace information will be posted on https://www. specialforcescharitabletrust. org/events#calendar-2ce3dff7- de22-42c5-84dd-4f48e7daf700- event-c86e4970-a2d6-4998-ade1- 44193537f277 e SFCT office in Southern Pines is located at 677 S Bennett Street. ey serve the greater Fort Lib- erty area with a heavy presence in Moore County. Any sponsorship or donations made to the Special Forces Chari- table Trust goes toward supporting families, raising awareness and up- lifting the Green Beret community. For more information, visit https://specialforcescharitabletrust. kindful.com e Special Forces Charitable Trust will host the Denim & Diamonds gala event at e Carolina Barn June 23 to raise awareness and funds to support military Special Forces Green Beret soldiers and their families. e event features food, drinks, live music, a silent auction and more. (Photos courtesy Special Forces Charitable Trust) EVENT JAMIE BISHOP, Contributor. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcomin- gweekly.com. 910-484-6200